Friday, July 20, 2012

Sophia is an 8-month-old Bengal kitten that her family
adopted through the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. She was rescued from a
hoarding situation here in Waterford. When we first saw her, she was lean and
petite, but not undernourished, and appeared healthy. However, when Dr. Bailey
examined her teeth, he discovered that she had more teeth than she was supposed
to! Cats usually have 2 lower premolars and 1 lower molar. Sophia had extra
molars on both sides of her lower jaw. She also had two “gemini teeth” – one on
each side of her jaw. This type of tooth has two crowns (the part above the gum
that you can see) that form from one set of roots. Several of her teeth had
extra roots as well.

Left side of Sophie's jaw

Right side of Sophie's jaw

Normally, food particles build up on the surface of the
teeth, but the majority of food debris are swallowed. Since Sophia’s mouth had
many extra nooks and crannies to catch food, and since cats can’t brush their
teeth, Sophia’s extra teeth put her at high risk for severe dental disease. Dr.
Bailey recommended extraction of the extra and poorly-formed teeth in order to
help keep her remaining teeth healthy.

Ideally, a veterinarian (your pet’s dentist!) should examine
the mouth after all the adult teeth have erupted. At Exclusively Cats
Veterinary Hospital, we recommend a fluoride application at about 6 months of
age – this gives us an opportunity to examine your cat’s mouth under anesthesia
and check to see that all the adult teeth have erupted normally, and that there
are no malformations or places where the teeth do not pair up well.

Normal feline tooth anatomy

As beautiful as purebreds are, many specialized breeds are
at higher risk for dental abnormalities. Persians and other snub-nosed breeds
have the same number of teeth and the same-sized teeth as other breeds in a
MUCH smaller mouth. This puts them at increased risk for dental disease.

Dental health is one of the many reasons that annual
exams are important for all cats, even those that are young and healthy. This
little lady was less than a year old!

Misaligned bite ("wry mouth")

Surprisingly, about 40% of cats that are
LESS THAN 3 years of age already have dental tartar! Feeding an oral health
diet like Royal Canin Oral Sensitive 30 or Science Diet Oral Care can help
decrease dental tartar, but unless you can brush your cat’s teeth after every
meal, you are probably going to hear your veterinarian recommend a dental
cleaning at least once in your cat’s life. It is best to schedule dental
cleanings before disease is present – just like in humans, it has been found
that bacteria from the mouth are continually swallowed and can affect other
parts of the body, such as the heart and the kidneys. Unlike human dental disease that happens at the crown (the visible part) of the tooth, more often cat dental disease starts below the gumline where it often can't be seen until a lot of damage is already done. Teeth can
also become infected below the gumline, causing pockets of pus that can cause
fever, facial swelling, bone destruction or constant sneezing.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The weather this spring and summer has been
extremely hot and humid this year, while little rain has fallen. During these
“dog days”, pets are at high risk for
hyperthermia and dehydration. Humans have the ability to sweat and the
knowledge that it’s time for a nice glass of Gatorade to replace body salts
lost through sweat. While cats do sweat through their feet, the surface of the
paw pads do not provide enough cooling to lower the internal temperature. Cats
DO pant, but only once the temperature reaches about 90 degrees, and it is not
as efficient as it is in dogs. Cats will also groom more in hot weather,
moistening their coats in an attempt to cool down, but again, that thick coat
of fur is doing no favors. Cats that roam outdoors may not have easy access to
water.

A cat’s normal body temperature is 99.5 to
102.5 degrees at the core and can be slightly higher or lower at the
extremities (ears, tail and legs). Heatstroke is an illness that develops when
the cat’s body temperature reaches 104 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit due to
environmental heat (this is different than a fever which is a result of changes
within the body). If the cat’s body temperature rises above 106 degrees, the
heat stroke is considered severe and requires immediate veterinary care. If
your cat is suffering from heat stroke, it is important to lower its body
temperature or death can occur.

How will you know if your cat is experiencing
heat stroke?

Signs of Feline Hyperthermia (Heatstroke)

Panting

Lethargy (sleepiness or
unwillingness to move)

Rapid heart rate

Dark, red colored gums

Thick, sticky saliva

Anxiety

Dizziness

Weakness

Vomiting and/or diarrhea

Depression

Shock

Nose bleed

Muscle tremors

Coma

In addition to watching for symptoms, you may wish to check your cat’s body
temperature with a rectal thermometer. A temperature above 102.5 degrees
Fahrenheit requires immediate attention.

How to Treat Heatstroke in Cats

If you think that your cat may be suffering from heat stroke, please
contact your veterinarian, immediately! Hyperthermia can quickly become a life
or death situation, so a qualified doctor should be involved.

If you think your cat may be suffering from hyperthermia, remove it from the
heat immediately. Pour lukewarm water over the cat, making sure the undercoat
becomes wet, not just the surface of the hair. Once the hair is thoroughly wet,
place the cat near a fan to increase air circulation. An automobile air
conditioner can cool the cat too quickly,
so be cautious on the way to the veterinary office. If the body cools
too quickly, the cat can easily become hypothermic (too cold) and other medical
issues can arise.
The rectal temperature should be checked every 5 minutes to ensure that the
temperature is not dropping too quickly or too low. As soon as the body
temperature reaches 103ºF, the cooling measures should be stopped and the cat
should be thoroughly dried and covered so he does not continue to cool. Even if
the cat appears to be recovering, he may still be dehydrated or have other
internal complications, so take him to your veterinarian as soon as
possible.

At the veterinary hospital, your cat will be monitored for complications of
heat stroke such as respiratory distress, heart abnormalities, organ failure,
shock and other complications, and treated accordingly. If his temperature has
not yet become normal, your veterinarian will take steps to return the
temperature to normal. Depending on your veterinarian’s assessment, your cat
may receive IV fluid therapy, oxygen therapy, or other treatments to address
the complications of this illness, such as clotting disorders.

Cats who have suffered from mild hyperthermia may return to normal health
within a few hours. Severe cases of hyperthermia may result in long-term health
issues, such as kidney disease, and may require lifelong treatment. A cat that
has suffered heat stroke once in their lives may be at higher risk for repeat
episodes in the future.

Prevention of Hyperthermia in Cats

Fortunately, heat stroke is fairly easy to prevent. While we often see warnings about leaving dogs in parked cars in the summer,
we rarely see similar warnings about cats – mostly because cats don’t tend to
travel with their families as frequently as dogs do. However, cats are just as
at-risk for hyperthermia when left alone in a vehicle as dogs, since cars can
quickly become ovens (up to 140 degrees!) even on a “quick trip” to the store.

If your cat is regularly allowed outdoors, even if he comes inside at night,
please make sure that you provide a shady shelter from the sun, such as a cat
house. Your cat may not appreciate it, but you should limit outdoor time on the
hottest days, and keep your cat inside during 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., which is when
the sun is at its highest peak and temperatures tend to be warmer. Fresh water
should also be provided on a daily, if not twice daily, basis. Even if your cat
is an indoor cat, be sure to leave him plenty of fresh water daily. Placing a
few ice cubes in the water will help keep it refreshing.
There is no set temperature that is “too hot” for your cat, but be aware
that older cats with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease,
obesity, asthma or other respiratory conditions place them at higher risk for
heat stroke will have a lower tolerance
for heat than young, healthy cats.

If
you do not have air conditioning in your house, be sure that your cats have
access to cooler areas in your home such as your basement, or rooms with
ceiling or other fans.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Summertime can be nerve-wracking for cats because so many holidays are celebrated with fireworks. Many cats will run for the bed when there’s a
mere knock on the door or a ring of the doorbell. When firecrackers go off, it
can be devastating to a timid kitty. To help your cat cope, you can prepare a
sanctuary in advance – a bed in a closet or the basement where the sounds will
be more muffled. Feliway spray or a diffuser and items with your kitty’s own
smell on them will help create a calming scent. Show your cat this area before
the 4th of July so she will know it’s her safe place. It might also
help to spend the evening in the room with your cats, petting them and offering
soothing words.

If you have tried offering a secluded room in the past and your cat is still
traumatized, you might want to ask your
veterinarian about a mild sedative or tranquilizer, just to get the cat through
the day. Try to check on your cat every
couple of hours, petting her and talking to her. Try to keep to her normal
feeding schedule as much as possible, since cats are stressed by changes in
routine.

If your cat normally spends time outdoors, it would be best to keep him
indoors for the day. Unfortunately, there are people who find it amusing to tie
strings of firecrackers to cats’ tails. Curious cats may receive burned paws or
faces from lit fireworks or sparklers, or may receive burns from falling sparks. Playing
with unlit fireworks may result in ingestion of heavy metals – not rock band
music, but toxic substances such as potassium nitrate and arsenic. At night,
your cat may also be at risk for being hit by falling burning debris or
misfired rockets.

If you are planning a boisterous barbecue with lots of guests, you might
want to consider boarding your cat during the holiday. Otherwise, it is a good
idea to keep your cats in their sanctuary with food, water and
litter for the duration of the party. Cats that are frightened because of large
numbers of people might dash for the door, or curious cats may slip outside
along with an unwary visitor or through a door that was accidentally left open.
This is an excellent reason why even indoor cats benefit from being microchipped!

Even if it's just family, try to discourage people from feeding your kitty
scraps from the barbecue, though she might beg. Feeding something other than a
normal diet at a time of high stress can cause diarrhea or result in vomiting
later. Also, many barbecued foods are seasoned with garlic and onions, which
are toxic to cats, or other seasonings that may cause stomach upset. It is
never a good idea to offer beer or other alcoholic drinks to pets, or leave it where pets can reach it.
It takes a much smaller amount of alcohol to poison a pet than it does a human.
Signs of alcohol poisoning are weakness, depression, coma and death.

Only use sunscreen and insect repellents that are designed for cats. DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is not a product recommended for
use in pets and can cause neurological problems. Do not use dog products on
cats. Pyrethrins have a very narrow range of safety, so using the wrong size
product can poison your pet. Any product containing permethrin
is toxic to cats! In fact, it is much safer to use products that do not contain permethrins or
pyrethrins, such as Revolution and Advantage Multi (heartworm and flea
preventive products all in one), or Advantage (flea prevention only) and
Frontline (flea and tick protection). Ingestion of sunscreen products can cause
drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.

Make sure to protect your cats from heartworm disease with
monthly preventives, even if they live indoors. Heartworm disease is
transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, and mosquitoes occasionally come
indoors. This year is projected to be an especially bad year for mosquitoes due to the mild winter weather.

Note: Eating a glow stick will not make your cat glow. Sorry!

Keep matches and lighter fluid away from pets. Lighter fluid
should not be used to treat fleas or remove ticks. Lighter fluid can irritate
the skin and causes stomach irritation if groomed off the fur. If the fumes of
lighter fluid are inhaled, it can cause aspiration pneumonia or other
respiratory issues. Certain matches contain chlorates which can damage blood
cells, cause respiratory distress or cause kidney damage.

Do not allow pets to wear or play with glow jewelry. The glowing substance
inside these products is not highly toxic, but can cause stomach irritation and
excessive drooling. Small parts may be swallowed and require surgical removal.

Citronella candles or other products can cause stomach irritation if
ingested.

Make sure that your pool is pet safe!

Many people inflate pools for their children in the summer
if they don’t have a year-round pool. Never leave pets unattended around a pool
of any kind. Fence your full-sized pool with a secure gate, and never leave
your pet inside the fenced pool area unsupervised. Make sure pets can get out of the pool. If a
pet jumps or falls in and doesn’t know how to get out without help, it may
panic and drown. If your cat falls into a chlorinated pool, make sure that you
thoroughly wash the coat thoroughly, and make sure that if your pool does not
have stairs or a ramp to get in and out (ladders don’t count!), that you make
sure that your cat does not have access to the pool – they won’t be able to get
back out if they fall in! Try not to let pets drink pool water. Chlorine and
chemicals used to keep pools free of algae and contaminants can cause pet health
problems, such as dry mouth or gastric distress, and small wading pools with
standing water can become contaminated with single-celled organisms such as
Giardia, which can cause diarrhea.

Summer is a time of relaxation and carefree fun in the sun – make sure that
you take precautions to keep it that way for your pet, too!

I have had trouble finding and keeping healthy cats my whole life. When I
was just a little girl I decided to name my very first cat Princess
Sparkle Rainbow Cookie Unicorn Mermaid. As you can imagine this name was
difficult to remember and just plain stupid so my parents simply named
her Kitty. Kitty-One, as we now call her, was a black and white fluff
ball of amazingness and I loved her dearly. My favorite activities
included carrying her around and dumping bags of treats on the floor for
her to devour. I can imagine she wanted to escape from me - I was too
young to know that cats didn’t like to be pulled by their tails and what
direction they wanted their fur petted, so she escaped out the front
door one day and she never came back.

My
parents and I felt the void of a cat-less home and searched for another
adorable kitten to replace the one that we had lost when we came across
an adorable orange and white kitten with the biggest green eyes I had
ever seen and his tiny black calico sister at our local PetSmart. I let
my younger sister have the adorable calico whom she named Princess
Stormy and I fell in love with my adorable orange cat whom I named,
Kitty Happy-Cat Light. These two kittens loved each other, always
cuddling and keeping each other safe and comfortable. However it wasn’t
meant to last and Kitty’s sister, Stormy, suffered from kidney disease
at a young age and had to be put to sleep.

Some
time later, my sister adopted two kittens from Ohio, Batman and Casper, who turned out to have Feline Leukemia. We obviously couldn’t keep them
for the risk of Kitty catching this highly contagious disease so we
brought them to Leuk’s Landing where they enjoyed the rest of their very
short lives.

Although
a very, very happy cat, Kitty seemed to feel the loss of his sister and I
felt that he needed a feline companion to keep him young and active. I
looked for a tiny companion for Kitty every time I went shopping for
cat-litter and food until one day I found Oliver Simon Trouble-Maker
Light. When he looked up at me with his tiny yellow-green eyes my heart
melted and I knew I was going to take him home. You see, I have a
weakness for orange cats. I could feel his energy
through the little glass enclosure and I knew I had to bring him home. I
also picked out a buddy for him to play with, Basil Fat-Fatty Moe
Light. Oliver was adopted with his tiny buddy, Basil,
from PetSmart on Orchard Lake Road in 2010.

Description of Oliver:

Oliver
is the absolute softest cat you will ever feel. His bunny fur is light
orange and striped (Our house-keeper calls him the yellow-cat) with an
adorable white chin that looks as if he just gulped down a whole bowl of
milk. He has replaced Kitty as the Alpha-Male in our household,
continuously play-battling Basil for the rights to the throne. He
allows Kitty to rule the household, always knowing that he could take
command at any moment. Kitty and Oliver seem to have a special bond
because they are often spotted having top-secret conversations with each
other.

My
friends and I like to think of Oliver as a lion! Oliver’s walk is slow
and powerful but he can run at lightening fast speeds. He relaxes in
positions of virility and yet is always full of energy, ready to pounce
at any moment. Don’t be too intimidated though because Oliver makes the
cutest high pitched “prrrr-ow” noise, no fearsome-roar from him! He
likes to lay on his back in the center of a room with his hands and feet
curled around each other and his big fluffy tail wrapped around his
feet. If you don’t pay enough attention to him, even while he is
pretending to sleep he will open one eye, “purr-ow” and then close them
really quickly so you remember to find out how cute he is being. If you
ever can’t find Oliver, it’s because he is sleeping on my bed, which
seems to be the communal cat rest-area. On the rare occasion that I
allow Oliver to go outside, he mows down the grass in our lawn with his
razor sharp teeth and tries to chase butterflies.